Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica area
Events
La Brea Bakery Cafe: Celebrates Grilled Cheese Month with pop-up grilled cheese nights, 5:30-9:30 p.m. April 28. 468 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. 323-939-6813. www.labreabakery.com
Il Fornaio: Rotating monthly menu features regional specialties of Italy: food and wine from Toscana during April. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 6320 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. 818-297-1700. www.ilfornaio.com
Taste of the Eastside: Food tastes from restaurants in Atwater Village, Echo Park, Los Feliz, downtown Los Angeles and Silverlake, 4-8 p.m. May 1. Tickets $40 in advance or $50 at the door (unlimited food tastes and beer, spirits and wine for purchase); VIP $70 in advance or $80 (VIP entry at 3 p.m.; unlimited food tastes, three drink tickets, cooking demonstrations and other perks). Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, 570 W. Ave, 26, Los Angeles. www.tasteoftheeastside.com
California Beer Festival’s BBQ & Beer Festival in Santa Clarita: Craft beer tasting, barbecue and live music, 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 6. Family-friendly barbecue, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. May 7 (no barbecue or beer tasting on May 7). Admission $40 for beer festival on May 6 ($20 designated driver); $10; free for ages 12 and younger for barbecue festival on May 7. Kids Zone rides extra on May 7. Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road. www.bbqandbeerfestival.com
Descanso Garden’s Mother’s Day events: Wine dinner, 6 p.m. May 7 ($80; reservations by May 4), and brunch, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. May 8 ($66; $28 children; reservations by May 5). Tax and tip extra. 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. descansoorders.com
Crossroads: Mother’s Day three-course brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8. Cost $35 plus tax and tip. Reservations. 8284 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. 323-782-9245. www.crossroadskitchen.com
Hinoki & the Bird: Mother’s Day a la carte brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 8. Reservations. 10 Century Drive, Los Angeles. 310-552-1200. www.hinokiandthebird.com
Cafe Pinot: Mother’s Day three-course brunch, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8. Cost $55; $19 ages 10 and younger; plus tax and tip. Reservations. 700 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles. 213-239-6500. www.cafepinot.com
BOA Steakhouse: Mother’s Day buffet brunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 8. Cost $60 plus tax and tip. 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 310-278-2050. www.innovativedining.com/restaurants/boa/locations
Fig & Olive: Mother’s Day four-course brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. ($40) and dinner, 5:30-10 p.m. ($48), May 8. Tax and tip extra. Reservations. 8490 Melrose Place, West Hollywood. 310-360-9100. www.figandolive.com
Mr. C Beverly Hills: Mother’s Day Venetian-style buffet, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 8. Cost $115; $49 ages 4-12. 1224 Beverwil Drive, Los Angeles. 310-226-6245. www.mrchotels.com
Viceroy Santa Monica: Mother’s Day brunch, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 8. Cost $70; $30 ages 10 and younger; plus tax and tip. Reservations. 310-360-7511. 1819 Ocean Ave. 310-360-7511. http://bit.ly/1kGv1Ar
Patina Restaurant: Mother’s Day three-course brunch, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. May 8. Cost $59; $20 ages 12 and younger; plus tax and tip. Reservations. 141 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 213-972-3331. www.patinarestaurant.com
Casa Vega: The restaurant celebrates its 60th anniversary with a “Tacos and Tequila” deal, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays through June 1. Purchase “The Boss” margarita ($13.50) and pair it with a 60 cent Grilled Chicken Taco (one per person; plus tax and tip). 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 818-788-4868. www.casavega.com
Classes
Sur La Table at The Village at Westfield Topanga: Tapas Party, 6:30 p.m. April 27 ($69); Italian Baking, 11 a.m. April 28 ($69); Seafood Grilling, 6:30 p.m. April 28 ($79); Souffle Secrets, 11 a.m. April 29 ($69); Croissants, 10 a.m. April 30 ($69); Taste of Paris, 10 a.m. May 1 ($69); Learn to Cut Like a Pro, 2 p.m. May 1 ($59); Cooking Down by the Shore, 5 p.m. May 1 ($79); Italian Bread Baking, 10 a.m. May 2 ($69); Quick Family Meals, 6:30 p.m. May 2 ($69); Dim Sum, 11 a.m. May 3 ($69); Flavors of the South, 6:30 p.m. May 3 ($69); Salt Block Cooking 101, 6:30 p.m. May 4 ($69); Spring Canning Workshop, 11 a.m. May 5 ($69); French Pastries, 11 a.m. May 6 ($69). Reservations required. 6316 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. 800-243-0852. www.surlatable.com
Cook LA: International Tapas, 6:30 p.m. April 30; Italian Menu, 5:30 p.m. May 1; Knife Skills, 6:45 p.m. May 3; Julia Child’s French Menu, 6:30 p.m. May 7; Mother’s Day Brunch, 11 a.m. May 8; Cuban Menu, 6:30 p.m. May 14; Healthy Mediterranean, 5:30 p.m. May 15. Cost $80. Reservations required. 10938 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. 818-760-5157. www.cooklaonline.com
Holly.Andres@langnews.com
San Gabriel Valley area
Events
Fairplex: Food Truck Thursday, 5:30-8:30 p.m. April 28: Boba Ni Taco, Canvas Food Truck, Crepes Bonaparte, District Burger, Gourmet Genie, Hungry Nomad, L.A. Wing Co., MexiCalbi, Slammin’ Sliders (trucks subject to change). 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. Parking is free, at Gate 1. www.fairplex.com
Pasadena Public Library: Beer, Brats and Books, 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 7. Funds benefit “Born to Read Pasadena.” Enjoy microbrews from Hanger 24 Craft Brewery, yummies from Robin’s Wood Fire Barbecue (including garlic fries!), and sweets from Nothing Bunt Cakes. Tickets are $50 or 2 for $90. Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. www.friendsppl.com
Sierra Madre Kiwanis Boot Skootin Dance and Chili Cook-Off: Line dancing (and instruction for same), chili dogs and chili contest, no host bar, silent auction, 6-10 p.m. May 7. Tickets are $25 and help bring art education to local children. 626-627-3363. 33 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. www.sierramadrekiwanis.com
USC Pacific Asian Museum: Tea Lovers Festival, 3-5:30 p.m. May 1. Ceremonies at 3:15-3:45 or 4-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and both include museum general admission ($15 tickets for museum members). Program includes traditional tea ceremony, live music by Tsugaru shamisen player Mike Penny and presentation and book signing by Kulov, founder of this festival. www.pacificasiamuseum.org
Upland Lemon Festival: Everything lemon, including a lemon pie-eating contests Saturday and Sunday, live music 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, tribute bands each evening (Friday: Rock and Roll Over [KISS], Saturday: Springsteen Experience, Sunday: Wanted [Bon Jovi]), April 29-May 1. Free admission, parking throughout downtown. www.uplandlemonfestival.com
Classes
Bristol Farms: “Hop into Spring” wines, 6-8 p.m. April 28. $20. Reservations required, 626-441-5450. 606 Fair Oaks Ave., South Pasadena. www.bristolfarms.com/events
Homestead Museum: Pickling workshop, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. May 14. $25, $20 for seniors or students. 15415 Don Julian Road, City of Industry. 626-968-8492 or online registration www.homesteadmuseum.org/calendar
Huntington Library: “Wine Tasting: Wines of Central Italy” 5-7:30 p.m. May 18. $105, $90 members. Register online to www.Huntington.org. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 626-405-2100.
The Village Kitchen Shoppe: Hands on: Orzo and sausage stuffed tomatoes, grilled cheese with bacon onion jam, 6 p.m. April 28. $60. Lunch and learn class: Strip steak salad with olive relish, 11 a.m. April 29. $30. Take a break: “When in Rome,” 11 a.m. April 30. $60. 147 N. Glendora Ave., Glendora. Reservations to 626-914-7897 or villagekitchenshoppe.com
Linda.Gold@langnews.com
Inland Valley area
EVENTS
A Sip of La Verne Wine Walk: 5-8:30 p.m. April 26. $40, includes souvenir wine glass, 12 tasting tickets and access to more than 25 wine and gourmet food stations througout old town La Verne. 909-596-8706, www.oldtownwinewalk.com
12th Annual Wine Tasting: Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center fundraiser for meonatal intensive care and pediatric units, 6-11 p.m. May 6, $125, Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center, 601 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, 909-865-9239, www.pvhmc.org
Classes
Cooking Block: Milan, Darling! Milan, learn to make rustic herbed bread, risotto all milanese, ossobuco milanese and tiramisu, 6:30 p.m. April 29, $60, 721 Nevada St., Redlands, 909-878-6140, www.cookingblock.com
Elaine.Lehman@langnews.com
South Bay area
Events
Vino-Palooza: A wine and music festival benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Sample more than 60 complimentary wines, spirits, craft beers and small bites while enjoying acoustic performances by music artists, 1-5 p.m. May 1. Marina Del Rey Hotel, 13534 Bali Way, Marina del Rey. $80. www.vino-palooza.com
Bluewater Grill: At “Journey to the Inside Passage” on May 10, Chef Jason Mazur will offer wild sockeye salmon cooked on a cedar plank, topped with shaved fennel, caramelized cauliflower and root vegetable gratin, and paired with an Acrobat Pino Gris from Washington. $30. Bluewater Grill Redondo Beach, 665 N. Harbor Drive. 310-318-3474, www.bluewatergrill.com
Carson Community Center, Choura Venue Services: Mother’s Day Brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 8. Hot buffet, live carving stations, peel and eat shrimp, made-to-order omelets, gourmet salad bar, assorted sweets and more. Adults $30, $15 for ages 4-12. 801 E. Carson St., Carson. 310-835-0212.
Terranea Resort: Mother’s Day champagne brunch in the Grand Ballroom, May 8. Complimentary champagne, omelet station, Asian kitchen buffet, children’s buffet, dessert bar and more. Seating times, 9:30 10, 10:30 a.m. and 1, 1:30 and 2 p.m. Adults $95, children (5-10) $47. One Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes. www.terranea.com
Classes
Seven-day Real Food Challenge: Registered dietitian Dianne Staso discusses how to eat “real food” or food that is closest to nature’s source at an “Eat and Be Healthy” program offered by the Hermosa Beach Library. Learn what food to eat and avoid and what to look for on labels. 550 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach. 11 a.m. May 7. 310-379-8475, www.colapublib.org.
Sandy.Gerety@langnews.com
Long Beach area
EVENTS
Cinco de Maya: A celebration of Acan, the Mayan god of intoxication, wine and the art of brewing, 5-10 p.m. May 5, Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, 562-481-3910, www.hotelmayalongbeach.com
Classes
Wine Country: Semi-blind workshop, explore the style and taste of pinots from France, New Zealand and the United States, 7:30 p.m. April 29, $40, reservations required; Spotlight on South America, discover red and white wines from South America, 1-4 p.m. April 30, $20, 2301 Redondo Ave., Long Beach, 562-597-8303, thewinecountry.com
Chefs Tech Cooking School: Diner dishes & Comfort Food, 6:30 p.m. April 29, $65, 3842 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, 562-989-2467, www.cookingschoolsofamerica.com
